Baby Samuel lives with his parents in Kenya. He is four months old and has been diagnosed with spina bifida, a birth defect where the neural tube fails to develop properly, leaving the spinal cord and nerves exposed. Samuel is at risk of paralysis or developing a serious infection. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), has arranged for Samuel to undergo spina bifida closure surgery on April 28. Samuel's parents are extremely hopeful for their son's surgery, but they are unable to pay for the $1,097 medical bill. AMHF is asking for donations to assist Samuel's family.

Ty is a 31-year-old construction worker who is married and has two sons. In his spare time, he enjoys tending to his vegetable garden and watching TV. In November 2014, Ty fractured his left femur in a motor vehicle accident. He underwent a surgical repair of his femur. However, since that time, he has been in pain and has had difficulty walking. Ty’s surgeons have determined that the hardware used to repair his femur needs to be removed. They will perform a removal procedure on March 23. Our medical partner is requesting $143 to fund this procedure. After surgery, Ty should be able to walk comfortably again.

Rikinoi is a four-month-old baby girl from Kenya. She comes from a large family, being the youngest of five children. Her father sells livestock to support his family. Minutes after being born, Rikinoi's mother noticed that her newborn child had a large mass on her lower back. Rikinoi was taken to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital (BKKH). There, she was diagnosed with spina bifida, a condition in which there is an incomplete formation of the spine. On April 6, Rikinoi will undergo surgery at BKKH to close the gap in her spine. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is asking for $1,097 to cover the cost of Rikinoi's hospital, lab, and medication fees. “I want my child to be well," says Rikinoi's mother. "I appreciate the donors' help."

Ganga is a five-year-old girl from Nepal. Her father works in India, and her mother looks after the children, while tending to the farm and grazing cattle. Ganga was playing with her brother when she fell and injured her left hand. Her hand became swollen and painful, making it difficult for her to bathe and dress. Ganga's family traveled three hours to reach our medical partner’s care center, Bayalpata Hospital, for treatment. On February 15, Ganga will undergo a fracture repair surgery on her left hand. Our medical partner, Possible, is requesting $195 to fund the procedure.

Soeung is a 65-year-old woman from Cambodia. She is married and has three sons, five daughters, and ten grandchildren. About a year ago, she developed a cataract in each eye, resulting in blurred vision, pain, tearing, and extreme sensitivity to light. This has made it difficult for Soeung to do any type of work or go anywhere on her own. She is very worried that she will go blind. Soeung’s daughter had previously visited our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). She accompanied her mother on the two-hour trip to receive treatment. Soeung is now scheduled to have a cataract surgery in both eyes on January 19. CSC is requesting $292 for this procedure. After receiving an intraocular lens implant in each eye, Soeung will be able to see clearly again. She can resume her daily life and do all the things she loves.

Paul is a four-year-old boy from Kenya. He has a twin brother. Paul lives with his family in a rental house in Nairobi. Paul was diagnosed with hypospadias, a condition that causes uncomfortable urinary symptoms. Without treatment, Paul risked infertility or social stigma. Fortunately, he visited our medical partner's hospital and underwent a repair surgery on December 28. Paul's parents are unable to pay for his treatment. His mother is a greengrocer, while his father works at a milk bar. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $700 to fund Paul's treatment. "I try to give my children the best," says Paul's mother. "I’ll appreciate any support."

Deydamaris is a two-month-old girl from Guatemala. She has not grown at all since she was born because her mother cannot produce sufficient breastmilk. She also has difficulty sleeping because of her hunger. When she cries, her mother gives her sugar water. Deydamaris is the first child in her family. They live in a rented one-room adobe house. Her father works as a day laborer, but he does not earn enough to provide formula for his daughter. Fortunately, on November 24, Deydamaris began treatment with our medical partner. Her family needs help to raise $1,107. Deydamaris's treatment will be simple and effective. She will receive formula, which will give her the protein, calories, and nutrients she needs to grow and develop. Her mother will receive in-home nutrition education, so she will learn low-cost ways to prevent future cases of malnutrition. Deydamaris's immune system will strengthen, and she will grow up to be a healthy, energetic baby.

Rathana is a five-year-old boy in the first grade. He has two older brothers. Rathana likes to play games and watch cartoons on TV. Rathana was born with ptosis in his left eye, causing his eyelid to droop. Recently, he traveled for three hours with his mother and grandmother to reach our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, for treatment. On November 1, 2016, Rathana underwent an eyelid correction procedure. This operation should improve his vision. Now, his family needs help to fund this $266 treatment.

Zenasi is a farmer from a village in Malawi's Central Region. He lives with his wife, near their seven children and 15 grandchildren. To support his family, Zenasi works as a farmer and does various household tasks. For the past three years, Zenasi has been experiencing symptoms from an enlarged prostate, which has made it difficult for him to work and participate in daily activities. Zenasi's condition is benign and easily treated surgically. For $726, Zenasi will receive the surgery and care he needs. Zenasi is excited for the surgery and looking forward to returning home. He says, "I am ready and want to give thanks."

Meet Tomasa, a 16-month-old girl from Guatemala. Tomasa is the youngest of three children in her family and lives with her parents in a one-room adobe house with a tin roof. She enjoys playing with her dolls. Her mother works at home, cooks, cleans, and takes care of the children. Her father is a day laborer in the fields, who makes only a couple dollars per day. Tomasa is below the average height and the average weight for her age due to acute malnutrition. She currently is not consuming enough calories and enough quality foods. As a result her physical growth is stunted, and we worry her mental growth will be stunted as well. As a result of food insecurity and marginalization, indigenous Guatemalan villages have the highest rates of stunting in the world. In addition to growth stunting, malnutrition can lead to lower IQ, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. $512 will fund the treatment Tomasa needs to address her nutritional deficit and improve her low energy and subsequent limited mental potential. This involves micronutrient and food supplementation, deworming medication to rid Tomasa of a parasitic infection, and nutrition education for her parents. With these combined efforts, Tomasa will recoup her weight and height and strengthen her immune system, laying the foundation for a healthier future.

Meet Kadango, a 60-year-old man who lives in Malawi and works as a farmer. For the past two months, Kadango has been experiencing symptoms of an enlarged prostate. In this condition, the prostate becomes abnormally big (though not cancerous) and puts pressure on the urethra, the channel that moves urine out of the patient’s bladder. As a result, Kadango has difficulty urinating, and has been using a catheter. Unfortunately, though, the catheter is prone to leaking and discomfort, leaving him with pain and inconvenience. An operation known as a prostate resection would help him. In this procedure, doctors remove parts of his enlarged prostate to reduce it to a healthier size. Kandango cannot afford this surgery on the salary he earns as a farmer. $742 covers the cost of the operation, as well as Kandango’s medications, travel, and stay at the hospital. Kadango is expected to make a complete recovery after the operation. He is excited to receive his surgery and be able to resume his life catheter-free.